I have to admit, the invitation to experience the grand opening of Ray’s Indoor Mountain Bike Park in Milwaukee, WI, sparked a mix of excitement and trepidation. Having followed videos and photos showcasing the street park, daring stunts, elevated skinnies, and the iconic foam pit at the original Cleveland location since 2004, I wondered, “As a cross-country/all-mountain rider who enjoys challenging trails but isn’t a big air enthusiast, what exactly does Ray’s Indoor Mountain Bike Park offer someone like me?”
The answer, as I soon discovered, is: A Tremendous Amount!
Discovering Ray’s MTB Indoor Park
For those unfamiliar, Ray’s Indoor Mountain Bike Park was conceived as a haven for mountain bikers seeking to ride year-round, even through harsh winters. It’s an indoor facility brimming with diverse stunts and challenges designed to push your riding limits. The Milwaukee location, which officially opened its doors on December 31, 2010, celebrated its grand opening event just recently. MTBR, alongside other prominent mountain biking media outlets like Mountain Bike Action, Dirt Rag, PinkBike, and Decline, was invited to cover the grand opening festivities. These included a celebrity BBQ, prize raffles, autograph sessions, sponsor booths, and, most importantly, the opportunity to ride the park.
Here’s what I learned about Ray’s Indoor Mountain Bike Park in Milwaukee:
Immense Scale and Comprehensive Facilities
The sheer size of the building housing Ray’s Indoor Mountain Bike Park is immediately striking. Spanning a massive 102,000 square feet with expansion potential, this facility is a mountain biker’s playground on a grand scale. Stepping inside, the enormity of the park can initially feel disorienting in the best way possible. The entrance area efficiently manages check-ins and registration. Moving further, you encounter a retail space stocked with apparel, essential bike components, and helmet camera rentals. Adjacent to this is the bike shop, rental, and repair zone, where you can gear up with a rental bike if needed or access professional repair services.
During the grand opening, we had the opportunity to ride Trek Ticket dirt jump bikes provided as rentals, perfectly suited for the park’s features.
Opposite the rental area is a downstairs lounge and staging zone. This is the ideal spot to prepare for your ride. For added convenience, a DIY mechanics area equipped with essential tools is available for quick adjustments or maintenance. A recommended starting point is the XC loop, which ascends upstairs and circumnavigates almost the entire park, providing an excellent overview of Ray’s MTB layout.
Ray’s Indoor Mountain Bike Park is thoughtfully segmented into various zones catering to different skill levels and riding styles, including:
- Beginner Area
- Sport Section
- Expert Zone
- Pump Track
- Rhythm Jumps
- Sport and Expert Jumps
- Street Park
- Foam Pit
Next: Something for Everybody & It’s All About Progression>>
A Park for Every Rider
The impressive scale and diverse sections of Ray’s Indoor Mountain Bike Park truly offer something for everyone. Whether you are a beginner, sport rider, expert, or dirt jump specialist, there’s an abundance of trails and features to explore and enjoy.
Surprisingly, maintaining a good pace at Ray’s Indoor Mountain Bike Park is a genuine workout, mirroring the exertion of “real” trails. After several loops, I found myself needing hydration and shedding layers, despite initially anticipating a less intense ride. While you won’t encounter long climbs, and full-suspension bikes might be overkill, you’ll definitely get a solid cardio session in.
Progression and Skill Enhancement
A common critique of indoor bike parks is the potential for a “rat in a cage” sensation. Ray’s Indoor Mountain Bike Park is not intended to replace outdoor trails and nature. However, to combat monotony, the key lies in consistently challenging yourself and pushing your boundaries to tackle progressively harder stunts and features. This is where Ray’s truly shines. I personally experienced increasing comfort on the XC loop, experimenting with different lines over small drops, and venturing into the more demanding sport section. Riding the same lines repeatedly can lead to boredom, but consciously deciding to elevate your skills transforms Ray’s MTB Park into an exceptional venue for rider improvement and progression.
A frequent question in online forums is, “Is Ray’s Indoor Mountain Bike Park suitable for kids?” The answer is a resounding YES! Ray’s is an ideal environment to introduce children to mountain biking and refine their skills in a safe and controlled setting. It’s also excellent for partners new to the sport. Ray Petro himself mentioned plans for a new “novice” area to further accommodate beginners, encouraging growth within the mountain biking community by welcoming newcomers. In an interview, Ray shared his passion for expanding the sport, his inspiration for designing new features, upcoming women’s events, and hints about potential locations for future Ray’s MTB Parks.
A Vibrant Mountain Bike Community Hub
Ray’s Indoor Mountain Bike Park is more than just a riding facility; it’s a thriving scene and social hub for mountain bikers. It’s a place to connect with friends, socialize, and share the stoke of riding. While dirt jumpers are well-known for sessioning and socializing, Ray’s creates this atmosphere for cross-country and sport-level riders too. Strike up a conversation, follow someone for a lap, and enjoy the camaraderie. Ray has cultivated a secure environment where riders of all ages, from kids to adults, can spend their free time pursuing their passion. As a parent, I’d feel completely comfortable letting my teenagers spend an afternoon at Ray’s.
Here’s Ray hanging out with pro rider Heather Irminger, exemplifying the park’s friendly atmosphere:
For a comprehensive visual tour, this video provides an overview of the diverse areas within Ray’s Indoor Mountain Bike Park:
Final Verdict: Ray’s MTB Park is Outstanding!
MTBR wholeheartedly awards Ray’s Indoor Mountain Bike Park a five-flaming-chili-pepper rating. Ray has created an exceptional indoor park dedicated to mountain bikers, fostering fun, learning, and skill improvement. It’s also a fantastic place to simply hang out and connect with the mountain bike community. Thank you, Ray, for the invitation and exceptional hospitality. We eagerly anticipate the next grand opening!
Have you experienced Ray’s Indoor Mountain Bike Park? Share your experiences in the comments below!
Write a review for Ray’s in Cleveland here: https://trails.mtbr.com/cat/mountain-biking-resorts-and-parks/trail/PRD_329814_6512crx.aspx
Write a review for Ray’s in Milwaukee here: https://trails.mtbr.com/cat/mountain-biking-resorts-and-parks/trail/PRD_455424_6512crx.aspx
For more details about Ray’s MTB Indoor Park locations, visit their website: https://raysmtb.com/
Next: Photos from the Grand Opening Celebrity BBQ, Prize Raffle and More Riding Pix>>
Grand Opening Highlights: Ray’s MTB Milwaukee
Relive the excitement of the Ray’s MTB Indoor Park Grand Opening in Milwaukee, WI, from January 28-29, with these photo highlights:
Celebrity BBQ
The Celebrity BBQ featured delicious food served by mountain biking stars Heather Irminger, Kirt Voreis, Aaron Gwin, Ross Schnell, and more!
Killer Prize Raffle
Saturday night’s raffle was a major highlight, with incredible prizes up for grabs!
Riding and Grand Opening Scenes
More highlights capturing the riding action and atmosphere from the Milwaukee Grand Opening!
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